15 Best Romantic (Weekend) Getaways in North Carolina

Imagine a place with Southern hospitality, constant beach weather, breathtaking mountains, sophisticated cities, and bohemian chic. This magical place goes by the name of North Carolina.

In this beautiful Southern state, you and your loved one can sink your toes into its sand, unwind in the serene Appalachian Mountains, go out for a night on the town, or stroll arm-in-arm through quaint towns reminiscent of yesteryear.

Whatever you’re craving from a romantic getaway with your significant other, North Carolina has something and more. Check out our picks of the best 15 North Carolina destinations for a romantic weekend getaway below.

1. The Duke Mansion – Charlotte

To call The Duke Mansion merely a Bed & Breakfast would be like calling The Beatles just a band. This 32,000-square-foot mansion built in 1915 showers guests with Southern charm, exquisite furnishings, 4.5 acres of lush gardens, and ultimate luxury in the heart of Charlotte’s historic district.

It has been beautifully restored to its former glory,when American industrialist James Buchanan Duke was the proud owner. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, all funds go to maintaining this prestigious stay. So even enjoying that full cooked breakfast prepared by an executive chef ensures the structures survival for the future.

For the highest mark in romantic getaways at The Duke Mansion, stay in the Dowd Suite. You and your special someone will have your own sleeping porch, spa tub, and shower for two in this extravagant space overlooking the courtyard.

Website: http://www.dukemansion.com/

2. Blue Waters Mountain Lodge

Settle into the lush Nantahala National Forest, and gaze out onto the 2,800-acre picturesque Santeetlah Lake. When you and your loved one stay at the Blue Waters Mountain Lodge, you have a first-class ticket to one of North Carolina’s most serene spots.

Relax among the tranquility of nature on a weekend getaway here. Whether you’re looking for a low-key vacation or an exciting outdoors adventure, Blue Waters has it for you. Settle down to a good book on the deck overlooking the tranquil waters. Or go kayaking, hiking, biking, and horseback riding through the park. If you just want to get away from the city life to spend some quality time with your significant other, Blue Waters in the perfect haven for you.

Website: https://www.bluewatersmtnl.com/

3. Historic Brookstown Inn – Winston-Salem

Having started life as the Salem Manufacturing Company in 1837, this historic gem in downtown Winston-Salem offers couples a charming destination with almost 200 years of heritage. The Historic Brookstown Inn has stood the test of time, providing the highest degree of hospitality and comfort for nearly two decades, while enhancing its amenities and facilities to give guests the modern luxury they’d probably expect.

Follow the aroma of cooking bacon and eggs as you head to the sunny breakfast room for your complimentary first meal of the day. After refueling, explore the city of Winston-Salem, the home of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Texas Pete Hot Sauce, numerous arts and cultural venters, and many local wineries to choose from. In the evening, head back to the Brookstown for complimentary wine and cheese. Then slip back into rooms decorated with 18th and 19th century reproduction and antique furnishings.

Website: http://www.brookstowninn.com/

4. Inn on Pamlico Sound – Outer Banks

Soak up the sun at the Inn on Pamlico Sound, a boutique waterfront hotel on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. From the Inn’s docks and porches, you and your loved one can stare off into the sunset overlooking the water while you sip on cocktails with live acoustic music playing in the background.

And if you decide to leave the fishing to the professionals, savor the robust flavors of the onsite Café Pamlico. This world-class dining experience brings you the contemporary coastal cuisine. Its menu incorporates locally caught sea scallops, crab cakes, tuna ceviche, blackened Mahi Mahi, and so much more.

In the morning, the Inn on Pamlico Sound serves an upscale three-course breakfast. After devouring delectable eggs, check out complimentary bikes and kayaks from the hotel to roam the land and sea with your significant other.

Website: http://innonpamlicosound.com/

Also check out my guide on the best beaches in North Carolina.

5. Inn on Biltmore Estate – Asheville

Live large while you’re on your next romantic vacation when you stay at the Biltmore Estate, originally owned by the Vanderbilts. This Four-Star Inn offers impeccable hospitality and charm, just as the wealthiest family in America would have wanted.

At the Biltmore Estate, you’ll enjoy not once but twice daily housekeeping service to make sure your room is clean and kept at all times. You’ll also be able to take advantage of 24-hour room service, spa, year-round heated outdoor pool, live piano and jazz, and access to its very own winery too.

At this luxurious Inn, you and your loved one will be pampered head-to-toe! If you’ve decided to go here, be sure to check out my guide on Asheville.

Website: http://www.biltmore.com/

6. High Hampton Inn & Country Club

Whisk your sweetheart away to the High Hampton Inn & Country Club, where you’ll find a romantic oasis in the mountains. On 1,400 acres, you’ll have all the breathing room you’ve been craving to tighten the bonds which brought you together.

Surrounded by a private 35-acre lake, you’ll be able to soak up the fresh air with your loved one in absolute seclusion. Couples who stay at the High Hampton enjoy intimate mountain cottages with wood-burning fireplaces, private balconies, and elegant décor.

Boasting that it combines modern luxuries with family traditions, the High Hampton Inn is a place to get away from it all. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see or do here, given the par-71 championship golf course, spa, tennis courts, croquet lawn, pool, hot tub, and even a kids club for parents looking for some alone time.

Website: https://www.highhampton.com/

7. Lakeview at Fontana

Discover why USA Today named the Lakeview at Fontana one of the “10 Best Southern Mountain Resorts and Inns” when you visit for your next romantic getaway. With stunning views of Fontana Lake and nestled in the forested North Carolina Mountains, this isolated resort gives couples the perfect excuse for intimacy.

Unwind in this wonderfully laid-back environment with charming courtyards, a yoga studio, and a lovely spa. And when you’re seeking ultimate relaxation, check out the Lakeview’s treetop soaking cabana(!). This incredibly serene hideout in the trees is the Lakeview’s most coveted treasure. The soaking cabana features an oversized stand-alone tub large enough for two and an overarching deck peering into the Fontana Lake and Smoky Mountains. Here, you’ll feel like you’re becoming one with nature.

Website: http://www.lakeviewatfontana.com/

8. The Carolina at Pinehurst Resort

When you want to indulge in culture and luxury with your loved one, there’s no better place than the Carolina at Pinehurst Resort. In this 115-year-old hotel, dubbed the “Queen of the South,” you’ll find AAA Four-Diamond accommodation, rich North Carolina finishes, sweeping verandas, and high-class services.

The Carolina defines vintage elegance and finery. Pamper yourself and your loved one at the spa, hit a round of golf at the hotel’s private golf course, channel your inner Old-South-money with a croquet lesson, or kayak at the Carolina’s private lake (you read that right). And when you’re exhausted from the day’s activities, dig into award-winning traditional Southern cuisine at one of the Carolina’s many in-house restaurants. You’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time at this exquisite destination, but back to a time where you were extraordinarily proper and refined.

Website: http://www.pinehurst.com/accommodations/the-carolina-hotel/

9. Blackbeard’s Lodge

At this home-away-from-home on the remote Ocracoke Island of North Carolina, you and your sweetheart can delight in the romance and privacy you’ve been craving. Only minutes away from the beach, Blackbeard’s Lodge offers couples easy access to the pristine waters and beautiful shores of the Atlantic.

Soak up the sun with your loved one, or unwind on the lodge’s porch swings, breathing in that ocean air with a cold drink in your hand. For more action, dive into the outdoor pool or head into Blackbeard’s game room with billiards, air hockey, foosball, and board games. And if you’re interested in checking out the local town that features boat charters and excellent restaurants, Blackbeard’s Lodge provides a free shuttle service.

Website: http://blackbeardslodge.com/

10. The Windsor – Asheville

Right in the heart of downtown Asheville, the Windsor stands as a boutique hotel offering upscale services and luxurious accommodations. And boy have people noticed, given the number of accolades this pick now has under its belt.

Built in 1907, this beautifully restored hotel is draped in historic character and charm. Each room is adorned in furniture and art purchased in Paris, giving the Windsor a rustic Parisian feel, perfect to set the mood for romance. Awe at the beauty and charm of the Windsor and then venture out to the quaint and funky town of Asheville. Just steps from the hotel, you’ll find breweries, art galleries, shops, and restaurants. Just as well that the Asheville has a minimum two night stay policy.

Website: http://www.windsorasheville.com/

11. The Ballantyne – Charlotte

Outside the bustling city of Charlotte, North Carolina, lies a luxury hotel awaiting your arrival. The Ballantyne features every amenity you could ask for, from an indoor and outdoor pool to tennis courts and a spa. This last space is popular enough that its treatment rooms are regularly booked up on weekends.

But more than a simple sum of its parts, The Ballantyne is a lifestyle. Leave the worries at home for a couple of days as you lead your valentine up sweeping staircases towards spacious rooms offering in-room dining and fine views. Opt for the “Romantic Rendezvous” package and you can also surprise your partner with chocolate covered strawberries, a bottle of sparkling wine, and breakfast in bed for two.

Website: https://www.theballantynehotel.com/

I have several guides on Charlotte:

12. Graduate Chapel Hill

In the heart of North Carolina’s major college town, Graduate Chapel Hill (formerly The Franklin Hotel) exudes style and class while still managing to feel fresh and contemporary. Ideally located within walking distance to art museums, theaters, shopping, and restaurants, this is the perfect spot from which to discover the Chapel Hill region.

Explore the town during the day, hopping from boutique stores to exciting cultural venues. Then at night, decompress in Chapel Hill’s Roberts Lounge, where you can sip on upscale cocktails on the outdoor patio. End a fantastic day by slipping between Egyptian cotton sheets on a king-sized bed.

Website: https://www.graduatehotels.com/chapel-hill/

13. Oasis Suites Hotel – Outer Banks

Just as the name implies, you and your sweetie will find your own oasis at this beachfront destination in the Outer Banks. Hide away from the rest of the world at this hotel, where you’ll have one of just 17 luxurious suites to yourselves. Each come complete with modern kitchens and private balconies overlooking the water.

When you’re not on the beach, enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, in-ground hot tub, wooden boardwalk, or gazebo. This is let another spot to enjoy the hotel’s beautiful surrounds. Should you choose, you can even crab fish from the Oasis docks, cook your catch on the outdoor gas grills, and eat at the waterfront picnic tables.

Website: http://oasissuites.com/

More on North Carolina: 25 Amazing Hidden Gems in North Carolina

14. The Swag – Waynesville

The Swag defines itself in four words: “Remote – Rustic – Refined – Remarkable.” It doesn’t get much better than that! This luxury all-inclusive hotel nestled in the idyllic North Carolina Mountains provides guests with the maximum comfort while in the peaceful outdoors.

Enjoy award-winning service at this mountain retreat, along with gourmet breakfasts, picnic lunches, and lavish multi-course dinners—all included. Spend the day zip lining through the forest, playing a game of badminton, or hiking through the trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And when you’re ready to be pampered from all the intensity of your trip, soak in the Swag’s outdoor hot tub or redwood sauna. It’s clear to see how R&R is the Swag’s specialty.

Website: http://www.theswag.com/

15. Grand Bohemian Hotel – Asheville

In the hippie-chic town of Asheville, the Grand Bohemian fits in perfectly. Grab your significant other and head to this Tudor-inspired hotel with old-world charm and modern amenities.

Marvel at the elegant antique fixtures, hand-carved furniture, gorgeous rustic design, and artistic luxury when you stay at the Grand Bohemian.There’s even an art gallery, which helps create the perfect ambience of relaxation for a trip to the Poseidon Spa. The star of the show here has to be the 50 or 80 minute custom massages, with facials and exfoliating foot treatments coming a close second and third.

However, as a guest at the Frand Bohemian Hotel, you’re also just steps away from Asheville’s celebrated shopping, gourmet restaurants, and breathtaking daytrips into the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Website: http://www.bohemianhotelasheville.com/